NLS Press Release

National Federation of the Blind to conduct braille certification program

National Federation of the Blind to conduct braille certification program

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
(NLS), Library of Congress, has announced that a competitive contract was awarded
to the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) to conduct NLS braille certification
programs, beginning in the early part of 2007. The Librarian of Congress and
the NLS director will continue to authorize and issue certifications for braille
transcribers.

"For 63 years, NLS has been solely responsible for all braille certification
in this country, but times and methodologies change," said NLS director Frank
Kurt Cylke. "The methods of braille production have changed dramatically, and
to best serve our patrons we must keep pace. For that reason we are outsourcing
the provision of training courses and validation that are currently handled by
our Braille Development Section. NFB, a long-time advocate for braille in the
United States, has demonstrated expertise in braille technology and is therefore
highly qualified to administer this program."

Transition of these tasks from NLS to NFB is underway and will be completed after
the first of the year. Authority and oversight remain with the Library of Congress;
NFB’s role as a contractor to NLS will be strictly administrative.

Since 1943, NLS has offered courses in literary braille transcription for
Library of Congress certification. Courses in mathematics and music transcribing,
as well as literary and mathematics proofreading, were later added. Transcribers
determine how to accurately represent print information in braille and then transcribe
the information, providing blind readers with the same materials sighted readers
receive. Approximately 200 transcribers and proofreaders receive certification
each year. "NLS will remain the certifying authority for braille transcribers,
guaranteeing the high standards associated with the work of its transcribers
and proofreaders," added Cylke.

Founded in 1940, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest organization
of the blind in America and includes more than 50,000 members, with affiliates
in all 50 states and more than 700 local chapters. NFB’s International Braille
and Technology Center for the Blind (IBTC) is a comprehensive evaluation, demonstration,
and training center, with more than $2.5 million worth of nearly all of the tactile
and speech-output technology now available to the blind community.

"NFB’s mission is to provide support and advocacy for blind persons and
their families. One of the ways we achieve this is through the development
and evaluation of technology," said Betsy Zabarowski, executive director
of NFB’s Jernigan Institute. "With the resources available through IBTC
and the braille literacy programs we already have in place, NFB is equipped
and eager to take on the administration of the braille transcriber education
and certification program." The Librarian of Congress and the director
of NLS maintains responsibility for authorizing certifications.

NLS will continue to produce braille materials through its contractors for more
than 42,000 patrons who read braille. NLS produces approximately 600 braille
books each year that are distributed to the NLS national network of braille-lending
local libraries. It also provides 33 braille magazines to nearly 700 subscribers.

Contact information for current and prospective braille transcribers will be
provided shortly after the transition has taken place.